Concerning the LSU game on Sat

#1
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pedigovolfan

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#1
LSU is crashing the boards this season...

see: http://www.secsports.com/new/sports/bkc/06stats/CONFLDRS.HTM for specific stats

They can rebound, block shots, score, etc. They have the stats to expose our weaknesses.

The best stat I see from our standpoint is turnovers. If we can force some in the backcourt, we should create frustration for them.

What's your take? Any predictions

They beat ARK at ARK last night
 
#2
#2
(pedigovolfan @ Jan 12 said:
LSU is crashing the boards this season...

see: http://www.secsports.com/new/sports/bkc/06stats/CONFLDRS.HTM for specific stats

They can rebound, block shots, score, etc. They have the stats to expose our weaknesses.

The best stat I see from our standpoint is turnovers. If we can force some in the backcourt, we should create frustration for them.

What's your take? Any predictions

They beat ARK at ARK last night
Click to expand...
Sometimes, the best way to judge a team is in their weakness and loss.

First, they have only beaten a single quality team of the teams they've faced - West Virginia. They came close against UConn and Ohio State. But they couldn't get it done. They can't seem to close the deal at the end of a ball game. In their Houston loss, LSU was within 2 with about a minute to go and then fell apart and went down by six. The only reason this game was a one point loss was because the Tigers made a 3 pointer from halfcourt at the buzzer. Same thing at Northern Iowa. The Tigers had a chance to tie the score with a minute to go. But, they gave up two clutch 3-pointers in the final seconds and lost by 4.

At Cinn the story was the same for LSU - they were ahead with a couple minutes to go. But, the turnovers and heart just wasn't there to take them over the top. There's a trend here people. This team plays hard and is a tough opponent. But, when a quality opponent is neck and neck with them at the end, they can't finish strong enough to win. This plays right into the hands of the Vols. IMHO, Tennessee's strongest quality is that they play at a high level of intensity for 40 minutes. They press for 40 minutes. And, if the shot opens up, regardless of the score, they will throw up a three.

I don't think LSU can keep up with that intensity at the end of the game if it's close. Also, in their 5 losses, they have averaged 17.6 turnovers per game and only took the ball away from opponents an average of 12.8 times. This plays into the strogest part of TN's game. I think the pressure defense and the clutch 3-pointers by the Vols are going to sink the Tigers at the end of the game.

I don't look for TN to run away with this one. What I do expect is for the Tigers to wilt at the end.
 
#3
#3
I was at the game LSU and Cincinnati played in Las Vegas before Christmas. LSU has by far the best frontcourt UT will have faced this season. Tyrus Thomas is the best freshman in the conference. Their guards, especially with Tack Minor out, aren't very good ballhandlers. Since Voogdt essentially blew the 15 point lead they had with 7 minutes to go at Ohio State by turning the ball over, I would guess Brady would use Darrell Mitchell at the point. That isn't his natural position, so UT should be able to disrupt their offense with pressure. Pretty simple equations: Half court game=LSU wins handily, Full court game=Great chance for a Tennessee road win. 2 teams with very divergent strengths.
 
#4
#4
I love this matchup so much... they have the big men to make this a blow out... BUT there gaurds are not any good and turn it over alot.. and what is this tennessee team good at doing?? forcing turnovers and scoring off of them... they capitalize when it is needed and i feel that we are going to win............ AGAIN!
 
#5
#5
77-55 Vols. That was the score last year. And, they had Brandon Bass for that game.
 
#6
#6
they had Bass for that game at Knoxville. Let's not forget that this is LSU's SEC home opener. The crowd could be a factor. I'm looking for a TN win, but I think it will be close
 
#7
#7
(ukvols @ Jan 12 said:
77-55 Vols. That was the score last year. And, they had Brandon Bass for that game.
Click to expand...
Tyrus Thomas and Tasmin Mitchell more than make up for the loss of Brandon Bass.
 
#8
#8
This could very well be a reality-check game for the Vols. LSU is a much better and more talented team than Georgia or South Carolina. It really does depend on who gets to dictate the terms of the game. Sadly, not to be a pessimist, but I see LSU having a big lead (15-20 points) at halftime, due to being able to pound the ball inside and score pretty much at will in the paint with their quality big men... UT makes a good run in the second half to make it close, with Lofton and Watson and JuJuan getting some good looks due LSU's guards getting worn out from having to be on the court pretty much the entire game, but will it be enough to come all the way back?

The crystal ball:
LSU 84
UT 75

Unless, of course, Lofton has a hot first half, and UT's able to force LSU's weaker guards into a bunch of early turnovers. As the cliche goes on the road, if UT can hang around, stay within striking distance (no more than 10 down at halftime), they can win. They will definitely be the stronger team, I think, down the stretch.

 
#9
#9
UT wins, 76 - 73
This LSU teams biggest loss this year is by 4 to Northern Iowa. They are a very good team, but I believe they are undisciplined. I watched that Ohio State game, and LSU should not have let them take that game. LSU's players lost focus and got out of position and let Ohio State back into it. This game concerns me, but I think UT will silence some of the critics this weekend with another big win away from home. Most power rankings have this LSU team in the top 30 (even with 5 losses). UT needs to jump on them early to silence the crowd and it will make it a lot easier day.
 
#10
#10
It's gonna be hard to take any teams by suprise like we did at Texas, but if we can dictate the pace of this game, we definitely have a shot. We will need to shoot well from beyound the arc to have a chance in this one. These guys keep on overachieving everytime I think they have a tough game, so I don't think this one will be any different

UT - 88, LSU - 83
 
#11
#11
I look for UT to get the job done. Press for 40 minutes and force turnovers

UT 72

LSU 66

:whistling:
 
#13
#13
What the LSU folks are talking about is the Tigers' tendency to give it up in the final five minutes. One fan's crack was, "LSU- 35 minutes of great basketball" In fact, the stories about their win over the Hogs basically boiled down to, "Hey, we didn't fold at the end!".

One of the comments the Baton Rouge paper made was that they also need to control the game specifically to keep it slow- they don't like a high-paced game.

Basically, before reading their coverage and fan comments I was alot more pessimistic than after. Now, I think we've got as many tools to exploit their weaknesses as they do to exploit ours... and that's what it will come down to- who forces the other to play their game.

LSU is deep, so we can't just wear them out, but they don't like it when you refuse to go away, and their game is built around a traditional sure & steady, get-it-to-the-inside-man approach.

I agree with the folks who've said we need to play full-court, and dictate the game. I don't see any huge blowout wins though. If we refuse to go away and at least dictate the game 1/2 the time, I see something more like the last 3 predictions- though I'm not sure if I'll be able to live through it.....
 
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